Criminal Justice in Nigeria: Forensic Science as a Panacea

V. O. Aigbokhaevbo, E. A. Iyamu-Ojo

Abstract

The Nigerian criminal justice system is assailed with maladies such as corruption,delayed prosecution of offenders, poor funding, tardy investigation techniques,ill equipped court rooms and irregular training of judicial offi cers. Shoddyinvestigation techniques have resulted in the existence of a skewed investigationprocedure primarily focused on extraction of confessional statements to secureconvictions. This often culminates in miscarriage of justice, extra judicialkillings of suspects or incarceration of innocent persons and the dischargeof criminals. These inconsistencies have enthroned a culture of mistrust anddisrespect for the criminal justice system in Nigeria. Jungle justice, voodooand compounding are the preferred modes of resolving criminal disputes by thelargely illiterate populace. To restore the dignity, dependability and effi ciencyof the criminal justice system in Nigeria with a view to reducing the incidence ofhuman rights abuses and extra judicial killings associated with the investigationprocess, increased reliance on forensic science has been advocated. Thisarticle analyses the lapses in the tripartite organs of the criminal justice system,with emphasis on the Nigerian Police Force as the principal law enforcementagency, with a view to advocating enhanced utilisation of forensic science tobridge the gap in criminal investigation processes.